Final answer:
French settlers in North America made their living through trade, particularly in the fur industry. They relied on native hunters for furs and formed alliances with Native American tribes. Many French colonists also married Native American women.
Step-by-step explanation:
The French settlers in North America primarily made their living through trade and the fur industry. They engaged in fishing off the coast of Canada and established extensive trading networks, relying on native hunters to harvest furs, especially beaver pelts. The French also sought alliances with Native American tribes, who knew the land better and could assist in fur trapping. Additionally, many French colonists married Native American women, creating a multicultural and multiracial society.